LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 51
I lightly jumped down from the halted carriage. Arriving alone without maids or guards, there was no one to catch me at the bottom of the carriage. Staring at the grand building in front of me, I momentarily lost my words. The white-shining temple carried a powerful aura that overwhelmed any passerby.
“It’s similar to the atmosphere with Helene.”
I smirked, recalling the restaurant where I had lingered for a long time, as it reminded me of a certain person’s face I had met there.
Today, while I was here to fulfill a promise to Julian, more than anything, I had to confirm something.
“I must solidify my suspicions.”
I absolutely hated sitting alone wracking my brain in thought. Whether I’d be able to meet anyone or not, I planned to settle matters today.
“Princess Crisis?”
As I confidently strode towards the temple door, a knight spotted me and his eyes widened in surprise. Typically, nobles made reservations days in advance, yet I had appeared without a word. The knight, flustered by the sudden presence of a high-ranking figure, I offered him a gentle smile.
“I’ve come quietly to receive a prayer from the priest. I’d prefer not to cause a fuss.”
Emphasizing my last words, the knight stood straight, seemingly about to call his superior.
“The temple is always open to everyone, isn’t it?”
“Of course!” he exclaimed.
I had come to pray quietly, after all; there would be no reason to deny me. The knight then glanced nervously at the sword at my hip.
“Um… weapons are prohibited inside. If you could hand it over, I’ll ensure it’s kept safe.”
“Ah, of course. It’s a treasured sword, so I’d appreciate you taking good care of it.”
Although I wasn’t pleased about parting with my sword, I managed a smile while handing it over to the knight. Surprised by the fact that a noble young lady carried a sword, the knight quickly composed himself and opened the door.
Creeeak.
The massive door swung open. I stepped into the temple, walking on the dust-free marble floor. The colors streaming through the stained glass illuminated the temple with grandeur and solemnity.
A priest guarding the corridor was taken aback upon seeing me but quickly managed to regain his composure and smiled saintly.
“Thank you for visiting the temple, Sister. May the blessing of the sun be with you.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I hope you too continue to dwell where light resides.”
“Is there a particular reason for your special visit?”
I replied with a soft smile, “I wish to meet with Vice Chancellor Julian personally. Could you let him know I have some questions regarding ‘El’?”
Normally, one wouldn’t have a personal meeting with the vice chancellor without notice, but I was Princess Crisis. The priest, with a somewhat troubled expression, said, “Would you mind waiting here for a moment? I’ll ask the vice chancellor.”
Sitting in the chair the priest directed me to, I waited about five minutes before he hurried back.
“The vice chancellor says it’s fine to meet him now. Would you like me to guide you to the reception room?”
“Of course.”
I smiled and followed him across the hallway. The priest lowered his head as he showed me into a room.
“The vice chancellor will be here soon.”
I quietly watched the back of the departing priest before plopping down onto the arranged sofa. With determination in my eyes, I glared at the door through which Julian would soon enter.
“I’m going to ask him directly.”
Honestly, I had considered confronting El directly, but given how he’d always avoided correcting himself when called vice chancellor, I thought he might evade my questions.
“But I believe Julian will give me an honest answer.”
Considering his demeanor in front of me, it seemed he hoped I’d catch on.
After about ten minutes of waiting while sipping tea from the refreshments set before me—
“What a fuss; do you think I’m as free as you?”
“Oh, are you really going to collapse from excitement? Just come in! You won’t regret it!”
I heard the sound of bickering from outside. Both voices were familiar to me.
“Looks like they’ve caught on as to why I’m here.”
As expected, Julian was quick on the uptake. I only intended to ask a few simple questions, yet it was quite mischievous of him to bring the individual in for confirmation.
“Why would I meet with a noble who said they’d personally meet you?”
“Hey, just come in! Knock knock! May I come in?”
“Please do.”
I permitted entry as I heard Julian still bickering playfully outside.
Suddenly, there was a tense silence. The commotion from outside grew frantic.
“Let go! Let me go! You little brat…!”
“Ouch! Don’t step on my foot! Crazy, don’t pull my hair! Don’t try to escape!”
“Just change your clothes, no, the hat too…!”
“How much longer are you going to hide it, you idiot! Ugh, just a little more…!”
I couldn’t wait any longer and opened the door first. The sounds of their struggle were so loud it was impossible to pretend I hadn’t heard.
As I opened the door, two figures, which looked like fish flopping out of water, halted abruptly. Julian, with his hair in disarray, locked eyes with me and blushed. He crossed his arms, looking around with a cold gaze.
Julian was tightly holding onto someone, preventing them from escaping. His pristine white priest’s outfit bore marks from scuffed shoes.
And there, with wide, astonished eyes, was El, whose hair, hidden under a hat until now, flowed in enchanting pale sky blue waves.
He wore a white outfit adorned with the sun emblem, a privilege reserved for the owner of the Sun Temple.
‘If I rolled over, it’d still look like the Pope.’
I gazed at El with narrowed eyes. He couldn’t even meet my gaze and was shakily darting his eyes around anxiously.
“Sigh…”
I inwardly breathed a frustrated sigh. I was already about 95% certain, but getting confirmation had a different sensation.
Without a doubt, no schemes had misled anyone, yet I felt utterly fooled. Grinning tightly through gritted teeth, I spoke.
“Nice to meet you, Your Holiness the Pope. I am the Princess of Kashmir Crisis.”
El’s face turned pale.
“Ahh! Hahaha! How does the taste of justice feel, you rascal!”
“See, you’re being punished for tormenting those below you!”
In the reception room, Julian and El’s expressions couldn’t have been more contrasting.
El was trembling, avoiding my gaze, while Julian beamed with glee, enjoying his friend’s predicament.
My expression watching the two was cold.
“Julian.”
“Ha! Yes?”
“Step out.”
“Yes!”
At my firm voice, Julian dashed out like a flash.
Not even glancing at the closing door, I fixed my gaze solely on El, beads of cold sweat trickling down his beautiful sky-blue hair. I crossed my legs and rested my chin on my hand.
“Your Holiness.”
“…Y-yes?”
“Why are you so tense? I haven’t done anything yet.”
El’s shoulders flinched. His large frame seemed at odds with such a shrinking demeanor.
“…Are you angry?”
“No.”
After a while, as El hesitantly asked that careful question, I shook my head.
“I was a bit amused when I first saw your face, but I’m fine now.”
He flinched.
El’s delicate hands gathered on his lap shook. Sighing at his visible distress, I was about to speak when he suddenly lifted his gaze. His silver eyes glistened.
“Do you… not like me anymore?”
His voice trembled with emotion, the moisture pooling in his gaze creating a desperate and haunting look.
‘…Why does he resemble someone so much?’
Memories stirred, leaving me pressing my temples. The rich scent of lilies that had filled the air since El stepped in muddled my thoughts. Sighing deeply, I spoke in lament.
“How could I dislike El?”
I was still unsure how El viewed me. Human affection had always been perplexing to me, and he had always seemed reserved.
But one thing was clear: I regarded El as a fairly important person.
Even though I doubted his goodwill due to my past and struggled to trust his words, I couldn’t hate him for helping me during tough times.
I was weak when it came to emotions. Foolishly so.
Seeing El’s large eyes fixed on me, I gently tapped the sofa armrest with my fingers, slowly opening my mouth.
“I have a few questions, would you be willing to answer?”
“…I’d be happy to if you want.”
He answered with a sigh. After taking a moment to choose my words, I asked, “What was the reason you kept me from knowing you were the Pope? Did you find it amusing to watch me stumble?”
“No! Absolutely not!”
Attempting to ease the tension with a joke, I was met with El’s fervent denial. Blinkingly stunned by his intense reaction, I awaited his response as he composed himself.
“I wanted to tell you. I’ve wanted to say it…”
“Wanted to say?”
“If you had known I was the Pope, would you have struck a deal with me?”
That was an unexpected notion. I wondered if I would have continued negotiations if I had known El’s identity.
“Honestly, probably not.
It would have felt too overwhelming to do so.” His face showed he expected that response.
“…Alright. Then here’s my question: Why have you been dealing with me all this time?”
*
“It makes no sense that the Pope would need to procure monster materials directly from a mercenary. Surely, there are many people who could rush in with just a command.”
El opened his mouth as if to respond, then shut it. For quite a while, he didn’t answer. His gaze darkened, his expression turned cold—something he had never shown me before. Waiting, I observed the deepening shadows in his silver eyes.
“I… I wanted to help you.”
“That’s perfectly understandable. I truly appreciate the help. However, what I want to know is why you wished to help me.”
I intended to confirm something I had long suspected today. El’s lips, which had cracked open with difficulty, sealed tight once more. He evaded my gaze, making it clear he was reluctant to respond. Sighing softly, I offered him an out.
“If it’s troublesome, you don’t have to answer. I can pose a different question.”
I had planned to ask this during the debutante but hadn’t had the chance due to time constraints. Now, facing the wavering gaze of El, I slowly asked.
“El, do you have a younger sister?”